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Rafting & Kayaking

Rafting and Kayaking

Bhutan boasts a 64% forest cover, which even counts the few rare animals and birds in the world but October is the perfect time for the nature loving paddlers to raft in the rivers of Bhutan. As the monsoon ends leaving rivers high to run through the exotic view of Himalayas.

Paddling down the Paro Chu, Mo chu and Chamkar Chu will give you every chance to feel the out of ordinary natural environment of Bhutan. The trip will also include visits to Buddhist monasteries and a journey to the preserved culture of Bhutanese lives you don’t want to miss.

Such promise is so eminent from Bhutan’s love for its rich forest and wild life which will be of immense value to nature loving paddlers.

Some of the identified river rafting and kayaking routes

The crystal clear rivers of Bhutan flowing over the mountains and through the valleys from the Tibet is one of the kingdom’s attraction for people who loves adventurous rides like rafting and kayaking. The rivers (wangchhu, sunkosh, punatsangchhu, mangdechhu, kurichhu and damgmechhu and their tributaties) in the kingdom have been scouted for rafting and kayaking. The rivers are rough and tough with strong currents and speed at times and at places it passes gently. Rafting and kayaking is one of the adventurous sports thatare popular among the tourists. There is smooth rafting for amateurs and heart throbbing runs for the veterans. The travel agents organize walking and trekking expeditions along the riverbanks besides rafting and trekking. The best season for rafting and kayaking is in spring (March to April) and winter (November to December).

Safety

Bhutanese rafting and kayaking guides are well trained and will do everything to ensure that you enjoy the adventures minus the risks.

The rivers of Bhutan were first graded for water sports in 1997 by the experienced duo Gerry Mofatt and Peter Knowles at the invitation of the Royal Government, under the erstwhile Department of Tourism to survey potential routes

They trained the first batch of Bhutanese river-guides and conducted surveys

Since then, other rivers have been surveyed including the Punatsang Chhu, Manas and Amo Chhu

TCB guidelines ensure that all operators use well maintained professional equipment and a reasonable guide-client ratio

Paro

Location:

Paro Valley, Western Bhutan

Length:

Approximately 10 km (3 hours)

Difficulty:

Class III-IV

Flow:

About 500 cfs

Season:

March - April

Craft:

Kayaks recommended due to narrow and steep rapids

Location:

Paro Valley, Western Bhutan

Length:

7 km (1 hour)

Difficulty:

Class II - III, with one V

Flow:

Approximately 500 cfs

Season:

March-April

Craft:

Kayaks (too small for rafts)

Thimphu

Location: Thimphu/Paro/Phuentsholing Highway, Western Bhutan

Length: Approximately 4 km (2 hours)

Difficulty: Class IV, one class V

Flow: 800 -1000 cfs

Season: March - April, November - December (Caution: a high water in this section is extremely dangerous. Not recommended for amateurs)

Craft: Only Kayaks

Location: Thimphu/Paro/Phuentsholing Highway, Western BhutanLength: 4 km (1 hour)Difficulty: Class IIIFlow: 800 -1000 cfsSeason: March - April, November - December (Tips: a high water run is possible with good scouting)Craft: Kayaks, Rafts 4 km